A 1968 Lamborghini Espada hot rod could be yours

The most interesting, but perhaps the best looking Lamborghini Espada ever offered for sale.

The 1968 Lamborghini Espada-based hot rod, which appeared in November 2018, crosses the block Saturday as lot S123 at a Mecum auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. The piece was built in 2018 by France-based stores Danton Arts Kustoms and Carrosserie Hervé. The new owner will receive both the car and the U.S. title.

It may be based on an Espada, but there is little left that appears to be an Espada. The Espada was a four-seater coupe that could take on a Rolls-Royce Corniche, but this car was a hot rod for snapping passersby's necks. The custom chassis is 8.2 feet wide and the wide tires sit completely outside the body. The custom body is extremely chopped and features Lamborghini Reventon side scoops.

In addition to the wheels and tires, much of the suspension, engine, and cabin are exposed. The car has no glass, plexiglass, or anything to protect the occupants from the elements. This hot rod offers an open-air experience, with the remnant body enveloping the occupants.

The bare bones interior of this wild creation has custom metal seats with black padding and exposed metal. More metal is exposed on the dashboard and center console. A manual transmission gearshift rises from the console, and a simple analog speedometer is mounted in the middle of the dash. In the lower left corner of the dashboard are several toggle switches that appear to be for vehicle systems.

Power comes from the original 3.9-liter Lamborghini V-12. This one-of-a-kind Lamborghini is mounted on Michelin Pilot Super Sport 4S tires in 275/35R19 front and 345/30R20 on custom G67 RUMI wheels built by Govad Forged Wheels of Toronto.

Pre-auction estimates for this 1968 Lamborghini Espada-based hot rod range from $200,000 to $250,000. For a car like this, which is unique and will undoubtedly be the centerpiece of Cars & Coffee, that's hardly a bargain.